Kashmir’s Persistent Struggle for Freedom and Justice
TEHRAN (Iran News) On this day, we reflect on the tensions following India’s annulment of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in August 2019. It’s the sixth anniversary, since the subaltern people were pushed legally into quagmire. It intensified the suffering, exacerbated an already fragile conundrum, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, and posing unprecedented implications for the stability of South Asian landscape.
In the times of decolonization, the princely states of Jammu and Kashmir having the option to join either India or Pakistan. The then Maharaja of Kashmir chose to comply with India under Indian compulsion and manipulation of military support ignited a conflict that has raged for over seven decades. The United Nations has endeavor to recognize the right to self-determination, which was affirmed in UN Security Council resolutions. These resolutions called for a fair plebiscite to determine the political future of Jammu and Kashmir. However, India has repeatedly insisting that the region is an integral part of India, a position that is in direct contradiction with the UN’s resolutions of 1948 and 49.
The recent revocation of Article 370 and 35-A had provided Jammu and Kashmir with superficial autonomy within the Indian Union. By revoking this article, India has effectively annulled the region’s autonomy, changing its demographic, political and legal status unilaterally. This action violates not only the promises but also the spirit of international agreements that called for a peaceful, democratic resolution of the dispute. The move has sparked widespread protests in all the regions of Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan. Thus, further deepening the divide and making the possibility of a peaceful solution obscure.
The human rights plight in Jammu and Kashmir is indeed a matter of international concern. Under Indian occupation, the region has become one of the most militarized zones in the world. The constant military warmongering has led to numerous reports of human rights abuses, the first Human Rights Report and subsequent reports by United Nations Human Rights Office states without lots of doubt, as violations include, “extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, rape and arbitrary detentions.”
One of the most concerning aspects of the situation is the use of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958. This law grants security forces ultimate powers to arrest, and using force, often without accountability. It has been widely criticized for facilitating Indian forces to operate with impunity.”Kashmir’s Persistent Struggle for Freedom and Justice”
Civilians in Jammu and Kashmir have been subjected to immense hardship. Families have been tom apart, and many have lost loved ones due to violent clashes, and military crackdowns. Women, children, and the elderly have borne the brunt of the viciousness, with reports of sexual violence and other forms of abuse regularly emerging from the region. The constant imposition of curfews, restrictions on movement, and shutdowns of communication networks have isolated Kashmiris from the outside world, further preventing them simply communicating their suffering.
The Indian government has sought to depict these actions as part of a “counterinsurgency” effort. However, the reality is that it is the Kashmiri civilians who are suffering most from this heavy-handed approach, while the core issue remains unaddressed. The global community must not ignore these violations and must demand that India respect international human rights standards.
The Government of Pakistan has strived for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and has raised the issue in various international forums. Pakistan’s position is clear: the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be given the opportunity to live according to their own sense of right through impartial plebiscite, as outlined in the UN Security Council resolutions.
Pakistan has also been vocal in raising the Indian atrocities, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed that Pakistan will provide political, ambassadorial, and principled support to the Kashmiri indigenous natives until they achieve their rightful status. Pakistan’s support is not merely a political stance; it is a moral obligation, grounded in the belief that every nation has the right to determine its own future free from any external “Istehsaal”
We as the liberated nation in the guidance of Quaid-e-Azam will continuously highlight the plight occurring in Jammu and Kashmir. Through diplomatic channels, Pakistan has consistently called on the international observatory groups to hold India accountable for its actions and to pressure India to abide by the United Nations resolutions.”Kashmir’s Persistent Struggle for Freedom and Justice”
The Kashmir issue is a matter of global significance. The United Nations, as well as human rights organizations, have an obligation to play their role in determining their future through a fair and democratic process.
The international community must be play role in scrutiny, and declare India as accountable for its actions as per the UN reports, thus, ensuring, that, “Subaltern Can Speak for themselves”, and no voice can be abased in this knowledge economy. The annulment of Article 370 and 35-A are violations of international law and must be addressed. The international community must ensure that the rights of the Kashmiri residents are upheld. Democratic countries around the world must apply diplomatic pressure on India to reverse its illegal actions and fulfill its obligations under international law. The use of economic and diplomatic tools to hold India accountable must be a priority.”Kashmir’s Persistent Struggle for Freedom and Justice”
As we observe Youm-e-Istehsaal on 5th August 2025, we firmly stand in solidarity with the people of (IIOJK) in their struggle for self-determination. The revocation of Article 370 and 35-A by India has not only intensified the grievances but sabotaged social, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic nuances of the natives. Pakistan remains faithful in its unwavering support for Kashmir’s right to freedom and will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute. The people of Kashmir irrespective of religion or discrimination deserves the opportunity to decide their own future free from oppression, epistemic violence, and demographic change.
